More than 11,000 retail workers were affected by the violence perpetrated during the riots in England earlier this month, prompting some of them to consider leaving the sector altogether.
This is just one of the findings of a snapshot survey of its members carried out by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) last week. In all, the retailers questioned – which, together, account for 27 per cent of UK retail sales – said they lost more than 7500 hours of trading, around 21 per cent suffered damage to their premises, and 18 per cent experienced theft or burglary.
The BRC is to submit its research to the relevant police forces to contribute to their impact assessments, which will be used in the trials of alleged offenders. The Consortium particularly highlighted the effect of the disorder on retail workers, quoting comments from survey respondents on their experiences during the events.
These included: “There was fear of coming to work and not being able to get to work.” “Colleagues were in store when looters hit.” “Some staff were extremely frightened by events – a few have indicated that they will be considering their careers in retail.”
The BRC says the evidence is a reminder that attacks on retailers are not victimless. Said director of business, Tom Ironside: “The thousands of people who work in shops have been the forgotten victims of the riots. The scenes of violence and looting which broke out two weeks ago were frightening even for the majority of us who were watching them on television, or reading about them in the papers. To have been in a shop as it was attacked, or set on fire must have been terrifying.”
Expressing his concern that some staff are considering their career choice because they feel vulnerable at work, Mr Ironside added: “Strong punishments are appropriate for the perpetrators of this violence to reassure the three million people who work in the retail sector that their safety is taken seriously.”
Shop-workers’ union Usdaw, which is also currently surveying its members on this subject, has called on retailers to fully support their staff by making their safety and that of their customers the number-one priority.
Examples of the action it suggests employers can take include:
